ICGS Veera (Literally means Brave)[1] is the third in a series of seven s built by L&T for the Indian Coast Guard, designed and constructed in India as part of Make in India concept of the Central government.
ICGS Veera, the third in the series of seven offshore patrol vessels built by L&T at its shipbuilding facility at Kattupalli in Chennai, was commissioned on 15 April 2019, at a ceremony held at Naval Jetty at the dockyard in Visakhapatnam. It enhances coastal security and is part of indigenisation and fleet augmentation under 'Make in India' programme.[2] [3]
The Indian Coast Guard, which was formed in 1978, has emerged as the fourth largest force in coastal security in the world.
Veera is equipped with the state-of-the-art machinery comprising an integrated bridge system, which includes advanced navigation and communication technology and integrated platform management system.
A ship of the same name, of an older Vikram class, was decommissioned in 2013.
On 5 April 2024, ICGS Veera rescued nine fishermen of Indian fishing boat (IFB) Durga Bhavani when the latter one caught fire due to Gas cylinder explosion about 65 miles away from Visakhapatnam coast. The fishermen were rescued off Andhra Pradesh Coast and were provided first aid to those who were severely injured.[4]
On 1 October 2024, Indian Navy's First Training Squadron, including INS Tir, INS Shardul and ICGS Veera, reached Bandar Abbas, Iran for training purposes. The Indian flotilla was greeted by IRIS Zereh (P235) of the Iran Navy. The objective of the visit was enhancing maritime cooperation and interoperability.[5] [6] [7] On 5 October 2024, the First Training Squadron reached Muscat, Oman, the third time in the last decade. The flotilla will stay their until 9 October.[8] On 12 October 2024, INS Tir along with ICGS Veera reached Port of Manama, Bahrain.[9]